Biological Ranks

Overview
These are the biological ranks used in the story. These ranks are very important in most societies, and dictate who is able to mate with whom and who can produce offspring.

Upper Dynamics
These dynamics are classified by having a knot at the base of the penis. Generally, those with XY chromosomes will have a penis and testicles as normally expected. They will not have a uterus or ovaries. Generally, those with XX chromosomes will have a vagina along with a penis in a protective pouch, and testicles. 70% of them do not have a uterus or ovaries, and 30% do. Of those 30%, it is estimated only a smaller 15% are actually able to carry a fetus to term. However, it is possible, and quite common (occurs in 1 in every 10,000 Upper Dynamic births) that an XY chromosome-carrier will develop a vagina and protective pouch and/or uterus and ovaries, or an XX chromosome-carrier will only develop a penis and testicles with no protective pouch or vagina. They go through what is called "rut" or "musk" every three to four months, which is where they have an intense desire to mate and fight. When paired with another Upper Dynamic, their ruts will usually synchronize. When paired with a Lower or Middle Dynamic, their rut will synchronize with the heat or rut of their partner. Functional uterus-bearing people will have periods shortly after their rut.

Alpha: generally seen as the most dominant, Alphas have a general rate of 50/50 between XX and XY chromosome carriers. They are able to impregnate any rank, and sometimes each other, if one has a fertile uterus and ovaries. Stereotypically seen as aggressive, dominant, strong, and tall. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a large Adam's apple, larger penis, broad shoulders, and a flat chest.

Beta: generally seen as a step below Alphas, Betas have a general rate of 40/60 between XX and XY chromosome carriers respectively. Betas are able to impregnate any uterus-bearing rank lower than them, however, it has been rarely documented that Betas can sometimes impregnate uterus-bearing, fertile Alphas. This is so rare it is nearly negligible, however. They are able to be impregnated by Alphas, if they have a uterus and ovaries. Stereotypically seen as breadwinners, peace-makers, egalitarians, and intelligent. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a larger Adam's apple, large to average sized penis, broad shoulders, and a flat chest.

Gamma: generally seen as a more submissive type of Alpha, Gammas have a general rate of 70/30 between XX and XY chromosome carriers respectively. Gammas are able to impregnate any uterus-bearing rank lower than them, along with uterus-bearing Betas, though this is uncommon. They are able to be impregnated by Alphas and Betas, if they have a uterus and ovaries. Stereotypically seen as caring, kind, thoughtful, and intelligent. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a large Adam's apple, larger penis, broad shoulders, and a flat chest.

Epsilon: generally seen as the bridge between Upper and Lower Dynamics, Epsilons have a general rate of 20/80 between XX and XY chromosome carriers repsectively. Epsilons are able to impregnate any uterus-bearing rank lower than them, along with uterus-bearing Betas and Gammas, though being the lowest of the Upper Dynamics, this is incredibly rare and negligible. They are able to be impregnated by Alphas, Betas, and Gammas, if they have a uterus and ovaries. Stereotypically seen as sneaky, manipulative, authoritative, and controlling. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a slightly larger Adam's apple, medium to large sized penis, sloping shoulders, and a flat or small chest.

Middle Dynamics
These dynamics are normally classified by the presence of a uterus and ovaries in 70% of the general population. Of those 70%, 40% are XX and 30% are XY chromosome carriers, with the inclusion of intersex chromosome people. While about 90% of the population has a penis, only 45% of those 90% have functional penises and testicles. The other 45% have penises that function as pseudo-penises, much like female hyenas have. In about 1 in 15,000 live Middle Dynamic births, people are born with functional uteruses and functional penises and testicles. These unique people are considered a dynamic all their own, even though they are evolutionarily no different from other Middle Dynamics. Depending on which side of the spectrum they fall (closer to Upper or closer to Lower Dynamics), they will either go through a rut, or heat, or, in the case of those with both functional uteruses and penises, both. Those with functional uteruses will have a period shortly after their heat/rut/both. When paired with an Upper Dynamic, their rut, if they have one, will synchronise with their partners', and if they have a heat, their heat will synchronise with their partner's rut. When paired with another Middle Dynamic, their cycles, regardless of what they are, will synchronise. When paired with a Lower Dynamic, their rut/heat will synchronize with their partner's heat.

Delta: generally seen as "almost-Betas", Deltas are closer to the Upper Dynamics than their other Middle Dynamic counterparts. They have a general rate of 40/60 between XX and XY chromosome carriers respectively. Deltas are able to impregnate any uterus-bearing rank lower than them, along with other uterus-bearing Deltas. They are able to be impregnated by other Deltas, and any Upper Dynamic. Stereotypically seen as intelligent, empathetic, a little wild, and fast. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a normal to slightly larger sized Adam's apple, average to medium sized penis, sloping shoulders, and a small chest.

Theta: generally seen as "almost-Omegas", Thetas are closer to the Lower Dynamics than their other Middle Dynamic counterparts. They have a general rate of 50/50 between XX and XY chromosome carriers, and are able to impregnate any uterus-bearing rank lower than them, along with other uterus-bearing Thetas and Deltas. They are able to be impregnated by other Thetas and Deltas, and any Upper Dynamic. Stereotypically seen as mischeivous, intelligent, quick-witted, and funny. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a small to normal sized Adam's apple, average to medium sized penis, narrow shoulders, and a small chest.

Zeta: known as the "universal giver and reciever", Zetas are those born with both a functional uterus and functional penis/testicles. Behaviorally, they are most similar to Gammas, though they are not considered on the same level as a Gamma. They have a general rate of 80/20 between XX and XY chromosome carriers respectively, and are able to impregnate any uterus-bearing rank lower than them, along with other uterus-bearing Zetas, Thetas, and Deltas. They are able to be impregnated by other Zetas, Thetas, and Deltas, and any Upper Dynamic. Stereotypically seen as tricky, fickle, calm, and intelligent. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a small to normal sized Adam's apple, small penis, sloping shoulders, and a normal to flat chest.

Lower Dynamics
Last but not least, these dynamics are normally classified by the presence of a uterus and ovaries in all members of the group. A Lower Dynamic with no uterus or ovaries, or an infertile Lower Dynamic, is referred to as a Kappa. In Red-Tail societies, it is legal to kill a Kappa at birth or upon presentation. Of the Lower Dynamics, 75% have a penis, and 25% have a vagina. Regardless of this, however, they are all able to have natural birth. In about 1 in every 2.5 million live Lower Dynamic births, a rare phenomena will occur, in which a Lower Dynamic is born with the ability to impregnate ranks higher than them. This is so rare, there are parts of the world in which it has never been documented. These Lower Dynamics are called Etas. Normally, Lower Dynamics will go into a period called heat every three months, which is where they have the intense desire to mate. When paired with an Upper Dynamic, their heat will usually synchronize with the Upper's rut. When paired with a Middle Dynamic, it will synchronize with either their rut or their heat. When paired with another Lower Dynamic, their heats will synchronize.

Iota: known as the "bridge between Middle and Lower", Iotas have a general rate of 30/70 for XX and XY chromosome carriers respectively, and are able to impregnate other Lower Dynamics only if they (the impregnator) have a penis, and the carrier has a uterus. They are able to be impregnated by any Upper or Middle Dynamic. Stereotypically seen as crafty, wily, wild, and careless. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a small Adam's apple, small penis, narrow shoulers, and a large to flat chest.

Sigma: known as the "aggressive Omega", Sigmas have a general rate of 40/60 for XX and XY chromosome carriers respectively, and are able to impregnate other Lower Dynamics only if they (the impregnator) have a penis, and the carrier has a uterus. They are able to be impregnated by any Upper or Middle Dynamic. Stereotypically seen as aggressive, short-tempered, solitary, and asocial. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a small Adam's apple, small to normal sized penis, sloping shoulders, and a small to flat chest.

Omega: known as the "caring, motherly ones", Omegas have a general rate of 10/90 for XX and XY chromosome carriers respectively, and are only able to impregnate other Omegas only if they have a penis. They are able to be impregnated by any other fertile dynamic. Stereotypically seen as weak, needy, motherly, and submissive. Associated with secondary sex characteristics such as a small Adam's apple, small penis, narrow shoulders, and a very large chest (though most XY chromosome carriers have small to flat chests).